A special open day is to take place to celebrate environmental protection group – Friends of Lyme Brook’s – two year anniversary.

A demonstration of scything, a plant sale and the opportunity to spy some of the creepy crawlies that give life to the Brook will all be taking place on Sunday 15th August in the Lyme Valley Parkway, Newcastle-under-Lyme.

“It has been a difficult year for us not being able to meet up, as it has been for many groups and organisations,” said Sally Aldridge, Chair of the Friends of Lyme Brook.

“But we’ve come back with a bang. The Brook has had a chequered history suffering from industrial pollution, agricultural drain off, and misguided, artificial straightening, but has recovered somewhat in recent years. The main problem now is people dumping their unwanted garbage, shopping trolleys and stolen traffic cones. Since the strict lockdown ended we’ve been able to fish out over half a ton of rubbish as well as removing invasive Himalayan Balsam from the banks and continue the establishment of a wild flower meadow on the banks. We now need more helpers to continue and expand the work.”

The Friends have received support from Waterside Care, the Borough Council and Severn Trent Community Trust who have funded the meadow creation project. On 15 August, Newcastle Under Lyme Community Orchestra will be on hand to enhance the mood with some show tunes and members of the Hedgehog and Wild Bird Rescue and Staffordshire Bat Society will be around to showcase their activities.

The event will last from 11am to 3pm on Sunday 15th August. More details can be found at www.folb.org.uk, on the group’s facebook page or by emailing info@folb.org.uk.